The way our country is being run is shameful

Carol Steffan, Las Vegas

Friday, Dec. 17, 2010 | 2:03 a.m.

I look at the governments of countries whose political systems I admire, and I look at ours. Our government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people.

When did it change to “of the corporations and special interest groups, by the corporations and special interest groups and for the corporations and special interest groups”? Who was responsible for this avalanche of erosion of the system of government our forefathers put in place to protect the people’s right to govern without undue influence?

It’s a shame upon our nation when young people give up on trying to make a difference because their voice can’t be heard above the roar that big money makes in today’s political system.

I am ashamed of the way our Congress behaves. Hopefully a day of reckoning will bring change to our stymied system in the Senate, where a handful of senators can block real progress.

I hope that day is sooner than later for all of our sakes. May the chips fall where they may and every backroom deal be made public.

May the house of cards in the Senate, which reminds me of the financial meltdown, come tumbling down around those whose business has been to hold Congress ransom until the interests of the wealthy become the only ones heard.

Let freedom be heard in the U.S. Senate once again. And let us be proud of our system of government instead of ashamed.